Machine for stretching uppers of boots or shoes



(No Model.)

v A. RPRESTON. MACHINE FOR STRETGHING UPPBRS OP BOOTS OR SHOES.

Patented Sept. 1, 1885.

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N. PETERS. Phabulhngnbher, washingion. D c

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

ALBERT F. PRESTON, OF LYNN, ASSIGNOR TO THE PRESTON MACHINE COM- PANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHlNE FOR STRETCHING'UPPERS OF BOOTS OR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming Dart of Letters Patent No. 325,567, dated September l, 1885.

Application lcd Jannary 3l, 1885. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern..-

Beit known that I, 'ALBERT F. PRESTON, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachussetts, have invented certain new` and useful Improvements in Machines for Stretching the Uppers of Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description. l

This invention has for its object the stretching of that portion of the upper of a boot or shoe called the shank77 preparatory to the lasting of the same, and for the better nt of the upper at such place to the foot ofthe wearer; and the invention consists, in substance, of two series of clamps or jaws arranged in horizontal and parallel planes, one series above the other, in combination with suit-able meclr anism for operation on said clamps or jaws to canse them to rmly grasp and hold between them the upper of a boot or shoe, and to then move the outer clamps or jaws of each series in a direction to stretch such upper, substantially as hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying plate of drawings is illustrated a machine constructed and arranged for operation on the upper of a boot or shoe in accordance with this invention.

Figure l is a front View. Fig. 2 is an end view of the working parts` with the framework in section. Fig. 3 is a vertical crosssection on line 3 3, Figs. 1 and 4, looking to the right, and showing a portion in side elevation. Fig. 4 is ahorizontal section on line/ 4, Fig. 1, and showing in dotted lines an upper of a boot or shoe in position for operation thereon. Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4, but showing the parts in different positions. Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6 6, Fig. 1, and Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view.

In the drawin gs, A represents a frame-work composed of a bed-plate, B, and a top plate, C, connected together by bars D, all of metal, or any suitable material, and on which are supported and carried the working parts of the machine.

E and F are two uprights adapted by their ends a to turn in sockets in the plates B C, and each having two horizontal arms, GH, projecting forward therefrom, one, G, above the other, H, and between these arms of each upright E F are secured, respectively, rods thereon.y

J K. The rods J K carry two jaws, L M and N P, connected to their respective rods J K by sockets d, by which they are adapted to turn on said rods horizontally, and the two lower ones, M P, to move up and down Q is ajaw in the same horizontal plane with and between the jaws L N, and attached by its end e to a vertical rod, R, secured by its upper end, f, in the plate (l, the lower end, g, 0i' the rod extending down into an opening, le., in the plate B.

S is another jaw below the jaw Q in the same horizontal plane with and between the jaws M P, and attached to the rod It by a socket, Z, tting over the rod R, and having a spline-joint, m, to prevent the jaw from swiveling on its rod and yet allow it to move up and down thereon.

The jaws L, Q, and N constitute the upper series, and the jaws ll'LS, and P the lower series, and their ends n extend out beyond the front of the frame-work for convenience in use when operating the machine.

The upper series of jaws are connected together on their upper sides at their front ends, n, by two horizont-al bars, T U, by screws p, the bars overlapping each other at the middle jaw, Q, one of the screws p passing through the two bars, T U, and screwing into said jaw, and the jaws of the lower series are connected together at their front ends on their under sides by similar bars, V YV, by screws q, the bars overlapping each other at the middle jaw, S, and one ofthe screws q passing through both bars V WV and screwing into the jaw S. The screws p q serve as pivots on which the jaws can swivel in the operation of the machine.

The upper middle jaw, Q, is rigidly secured to the rod R, and holds the jaws L N in the same horizontal plane by its connection therewith by the bars T U, although they can be held in such position in any suitable manner and independent of the jaw Q.

X and Y are two collars or sleeves, respectively on the rods J K, below the jaws, and adapted to freely move up and down thereon.

Z is an arm or rod, its upper end, r, extending np through the opening h in the plate B, and having at such end e' an open socket, t,

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into which the lower end, g, of the post or rod R projects.

u is a spiral spring encircling the rod R,and resting on the upper end of the rod Z and between it and the jaw S.

c w are two tlat bars, connected at their lower ends by screws yto the front of said rod Z, and extending thence, as shown, upwardly bars r w by screws h.

The upper surface, t', of each of the lou er jaws, M S P, is corrugated or serrated longitudinally, as shown in Fig. 6 more partielllarly, and the pudor surface, m. of the two upper outer jaws, L N, is simil Lrly corrugated or serrated a portion of their length. as shown at a in Fig. 2, the other portion, p, of the surface being smooth.

The eorrugations of the upper and lower jaws mesh together, and when so meshed the outer edges, q', of the eorrugations on the under jaws bear on the smooth part p of the upper jaws.

The machine is shown in its normal position as ready for operation in Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, and (3, and its operation is substantially as follows: The two sides of an upper of a boot or slice having been sewed together in the usual manner, one of the sides at its edge--for eX- ample, at the shank portion-is placed between the two series ot' jaws, the face side of the material uppermost, and with the seam, if the side is formed of two parts, between the middle jaws, as deseribed,and substantially as shown in dotted lines iu Fig. 4. The arm or rod Z is then forced upward in any suitable manner, which compresses the spring u, raises the middle jaw, S, and by its connection with the collars XY, the lower outer jaws, M P, to and against and iirmly closes the two series of jaws upon the side of the boot-upper between them, and then swings the arms G H outwardly ou their pivots a, which carry with them the inner ends, r', of the said outer jaws,swinging said jaws into theA positions shown in Fig. 5, whereby'the unclamped portions of the side of the boot or shoe upper between the outer jaws and the middle jaws will be pulled and stretched at and about the edge and back therefrom accordingly. Lowering the armor rod Z,the outer jaws are moved toward theirrespective middle jaws, and the lower series of jaws fall away from the upper series of jaws, leaving the boot or shoe upper free to be rey moved therefrom, and the other side of the upper or anotherupper placed in and operated upon by the machine, as before.

The upper middle jaw, Q, has a central longit-udinal rib, t2, of T shape in crosssectiou,

the portion a of which lies within a shoulder, o', in the jaw to prevent escape therefrom, the portion 'w' projecting through an opening, wf, in the lower face of the jaw.

z is a piece vof rubber between the portion u of the rib t and the inside of the shoulder, which acts as a spring upon the rib. This rib t is for the purpose of securing, in connection with the face ofthe jaw at either side of said rib a strong and continuous hold on the upper, each side of the stitching forming the seam of the upper of the boot or shoe, as shown in detail cross-section iu Fig. 7, which represents the two parts A B of an upper of a boot or shoe secured together by the stitches a2 and placed between the two jaws Q S, the portion I)2 of the jaw bearing on the two thicknesses A B of material and the rib t on ythe under thickness. By this means a firm and even grip of the two parts at such seam outside and independent ofthe stitches issecured, thereby preventing injury to the stitches by relieving them of all strain when stretching the upper. The rubber spring allows for varying thicknesses of the parts by its yield, and yet it is of sufficient power to firmly press the rib against the material .between it and the lower jaw.

Any suitable spring can be used-such as a fiat steel spring properly inserted-also the spring can be dispensedwith and the ribmade integral with or as a part of the jaw or rigidly attached thereto, aud also can extend to one side of the jaw; but it is preferable to have it yielding, as in such ease various thicknesses of uppers of boots or shoes can be satisfactorily operated upon, and it is also preferable to have the rib centrally arranged, as shown, as it can operate upon the right or left side of a seam of the upper.

'The stretching of the shank of an upper of a boot or shoe in such a machine is secured easily and quickly and at one operation, the stretch being the most at the edge and substantially in the are of a circle and gradually diminishing from the edge toward the portion of the upper where grasped by the outer ends, n, of the jaws, or substantially of fanshape.

The corrugations or serrations on the jaws enable the jaws to more -rmly grasp and hold the upper between them so it will not slip, and as the upper jaws bear upon the face side of the material the corrugations thereon are shortened, as shown, so as not to extend onto that part of the upper not lasted to the sole.

The post or rod Z has a shoulder, f 2, against which the lower eud,'g, of the rod R can` abut ifdesired, to limit the movement of the rod Zand thus the jaws.

This machine can be used to stretch other parts of the upper to a boot or shoe, as is ob` vious.V

The frame-work can be supported upon' any suitable table or support, and the arm or rod Z can be connected to any suitable lever or treadle for operating it.

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Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire t) secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a machine for stretching the upper of a boot or shoe, two series of jaws adapted to grasp and hold between them the boot or shoe upper, each outer jaw of each series being adapted by mechanism, substantially as described, to move laterally in a circular direction from and toward the middle jaw of its series, in combination with a rod or arm suitably connected to said jaws for operation thereof, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for stretching the upper of a boot or shoe, two series of jaws adapted to grasp and hold between them the boot or shoe upper, each outer jaw of each series being adapted by mechanism, substantially as described, to swing or turn laterally upon a pivot or center at one end from and toward the middle jaw of its series, and at the other end to swing or turn upon a swinging arm,iu combination with a rod or arm connected to said jaws for operatiou'thereol", substantially as described.

3, In a machine for stretching the upper of a boot or shoe, two series of jaws adapted'to grasp and hold between them the boot or shoe upper, each outer jaw of each series being adapted by mechanism, substantially as described, to swing or swivel laterally from and toward the middle jaw of its series, upon a pivot or center at one end on a'bar or arm connected to said middle jaw and at its other end to swing or swivel upon a swinging arm, in combination with a rod or arm connected to said jaws, for operation thereof, substantially as described.

4. In a machine for stretching the upper of a boot or shoe, the combination, with two series of jaws, the jaws of each series being connected togethcnand the outer jaws of each series being connected t0 and arranged to turn connected to and arranged to turn upon swinging arms G H, a push-rod, Z, connected by arms u w c d' to collars X Y, respectively,up on said swinging arms, and having a spring, a, substantially as and for the purpose specied.

G. The combination, with a jaw, S, of a jaw, Q, having a rib or projection, t', said jaws being suit-ably constructed and arranged to clamp and hold between them the upper of a boot or shoe, substantially as and for the purpose specilied.

7. The combination of a jaw, S, with a jaw, Q, having a longitudinal central rib or projection, t, said jaws being suitably connected and arranged to clamp and hold between them the upper of a boot or shoe, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, witha jaw, S, of a jaw, Q, having a longitudinal central groove or shoulder, fv', a rib, t', having a shoulder, u', to fit said groove, and a spring, e', said jaws being suitably constructed and arranged to clamp and hold between them the upper of a boot or shoe, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I ALBERT F. PRESTON.

Vvitnesses:

EDWIN W. BROWN, WM. S. BELLoWs. 

